The station was closed so he used a police free-phone to call operators.

'Very confused'

The jury heard he told the operator his name and address and said: "I would like to speak to someone, I think I have done something serious... this morning I found a lot of empty Nurofen wrappers in my pocket."

When asked if he needed an ambulance he replied: "I need to speak to a copper first, I think I have killed someone."

The court heard PC Stephen Miles met Mr Hilder outside the station. PC Miles told the court he was "dirty and dishevelled" and seemed "very confused".

When he asked what had happened, Mr Hilder replied: "I do not know, I'm not sure what I have done."

Jurors heard Mr Hilder went willingly into the station for further questioning.

PC Miles told the court: "He said he was having flashbacks as if he had done something. I think he said words to the effect, 'If I have done what I think I've done then I'm going to kill myself.'

"I asked him what he thought he had done but he repeated, 'I don't know.'"

Flat search

PC Miles told the court Hilder was "very confused, rambling and not making much sense".

The court heard Mr Hilder was taken to hospital after saying he thought he'd taken an overdose.